Month: March 2013

Very much looking forward to seeing the launch of this new podcast, The Cock and Bull. I saw the live storytelling the other night at Horse Bazaar in Melbourne and they recorded the podcast that night but they need our help to get this thing off the ground! See their project here: http://www.pozible.com/project/14374

The Cock and Bull is (or very soon will be) a weekly storytelling podcast that aims to achieve just that: a chance to hear some great stories from some of Australia’s (and the world’s) best and most entertaining storytellers.

The stories themselves will come in all shapes and sizes; some will make you laugh, some will make you cry, some are serious, some are silly and some might just teach you something you never knew before.

This is run by Cathy Culliver and Jon Bennett, who also run the popular Willow Tales and Bazaar Tales live storytelling nights in Melbourne.

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Nitro Circus Live is an incredible show of daredevils, talented sportsmen, fire cannons, 50ft jumps and amazing entertainment. These crazy guys from all over the world get to tour the world doing tricks on their various modes of transport in thrilling aerial displays.

On the motorbikes the guys will do whips, backflips, superman, salmon, running man, no hands, and complete detachment from the bike… before landing it safely as the crowd tries to catch their breath!

Then there was the 50ft jump they built for the BMX, scooters, rollerbladers and skateboarder. You cannot believe what these guys can do with their equipment of choice. Tandem backflips on BMX, 920 flips by roller blader, scooter doing flips and landing on the tiny Razor! Incredible.

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Show and Tell recently posted a fantastic video of Michala Banas speaking about when she was bullied in high school. It was heartfelt, real, confronting and honest. It was a beautifully done video and it brought to my attention this great website.

Show + Tell was made to inspire and literally show and tell other people’s experiences to the world. We always try to go back to the fundamental understanding that we want to offer an escape for people and will continue to add categories to give more places to peruse and inspire.

The video was again shared and the article talks about how bullying is affecting not only children but adults in work places and even amongst friends. Here is a short excerpt from the article:

“Today is National Day Of Action Against Bullying and Violence.

Bullying is a huge issue in schools and even workplaces. The bottom line is, it seriously sucks to be bullied.”

I really love this new website, Show and Tell. It’s boomed since starting only a month ago and is picking up pace as it shares beautiful content such as this article and video on bullying.

The website is based around intimate, raw and honest interviews with well known Aussie females. We want to talk to female celebrities, authors, politions and women who are prominent in their field about career, love, family, friendships and other topics that interest and affect women.

There are plenty of great US conversational shows where women act as a voice for other women, but we couldn’t find enough of this stuff featuring our own Aussie women so we thought we’d make our own! We aim to make Show + Tell somewhere we can come to feel inspired, have a laugh, and maybe even a little “ah ha” moment along the way!

The website is also a place you can visit for a daily dose of lifestyle – our take on the news of the day, interiors, food and fashion – your one-stop-shop for all you need to know.

Show and tell were also great to include this wonderful show, Darkness and Light which will be on at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. You can follow the show and learn more about it @DrknessAndLight on Twitter and on facebook at www.facebook.com/darknessandlightshow

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Introducing you to an amazing initiative by two young men who are giving LIFE A GO!

The Viking Biking Project!

The guys started this adventure after taking on an incredible Inspired Adventure which I love to go on, and learnt more about Amnesty International and the amazing country of Cambodia. This led them on to their next epic adventure:

The Viking Biking adventure isn’t just about having fun and showing the beautiful people and countryside of Cambodia, it’s about two mates learning who they are and finding out what they’re capable of. This is a story of friendship, adversity, beauty and inspiration that will not only entertain, but inspire people to get out there and make a difference themselves, to discover the world, to challenge their ideals and to make the most of this beautiful life we are given.

A message from the lovely Dave Zwolenski who is running this great initiative:

“Without your support we really cannot make this dream happen, and so we ask from the bottom of our hearts for your support. Small amounts are great. $10, $20, whatever you can spare… but if you can go a bit higher into the $50′s and $100′s, then that’s even more amazing.

If you really can’t give (and we totally get it) then please tell your friends about us. Tweet about us. Facebook about us. Blog about us. Whatever you can to spread the word about two best friends riding their bikes around the world, dressed as Vikings, because they want to experience life to the fullest and to turn those experiences into entertainment for you to watch and hopefully laugh at.”

OUR AIM

Our aim is that once this pilot has been made, we present it to as many networks and production companies as we can, and, as it will be the most entertaining and wild pilot anyone has ever seen, a network would be crazy to say no to turning it into a full series. Our overall goal is for us to ride six (maybe more) countries around the world dressed in our Viking gear, making new friends and exploring parts of the world many dare fear, filming the entire trip, show you aspects of the world you never knew existed.

This is our dream guys! We want to open people’s eyes to the world, inspire you, make you laugh, entertain you and hopefully add to the current Australian television landscape by producing home-grown, good quality TV that people can relate to. We appreciate your support and promise to deliver a TV Pilot that will make you laugh, cry (honestly there is one scene that you will need a box of tissues for) and above all, entertain.

We sincerely Thank You from the bottom of our hearts! (SERIOUSLY, THANK YOU THANK YOU!!)

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Why not head to one of my favourite places in Victoria, Dinner Plain. This beautiful suburb perched on the top of the Alpine Region has a quaint little village, friendly locals and Loads of Activities for Easter.

Read more about how they are coming back from the recent Summer Fire Threats and Rising in the spirit of Easter!

RisetotheHighCountry,it’sEaster!

DinnerPlain,Victoria: The Victorian Alps and surrounding communities have been feeling the heat over the last month with the Harrietville/Alpine fires threatening the region. Rest assured that activities for the Easter weekend, from 29th -31st March 2013, are going full steam ahead, offering visitors to the region a weekend full of festivities and family fun!

After more than 30,000 HA of bush land being burnt, the communities of Harrietville, Dinner Plain, Mt Hotham, Swifts Creek and Omeo are looking forward to rising from the ashes. Although a worrying time, the worst is over, it’s business as usual. In Dinner Plain the skies are blue and the air is clean and we’re excited for the planned Easter events, not only to raise our spirits but to provide a fun filled weekend for visitors to our village.

“We have stayed strong as a community and we are pleased to be hosting this wonderful family weekend” says Elaine Burridge, Dinner Plain resident.

The Easter weekend’s events include the annual inaugural Geebung Polo match. Atop of the Polo match is an array of family and children’s activities across Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday. Other activities you can expect to see over the weekend include: North East Produce Exposure (featuring local wines, beer and local food produce), face painting, treasure hunts, geo cache, movie night, blue light disco, car boot sale, CFA fundraisers, there will even be a visit from Easter Bunny during our massive Easter Egg hunt on Sunday morning…. the list goes on. Our surrounding townships are also hosting the Swifts Creek Picnic Races and Omeo Rodeo.

“The Easter Weekend is a favorite here at Dinner Plain and we are thrilled to be hosting this event again in 2013 – it shows how our communities can work together, reunite and rise above adversity”, says Peter McKenna, Dinner Plain Advisory Committee.

This Easter, Dinner Plain is throwing out a big THANK YOU to the CFA, with funds raised from many of the activities over the weekend being donated to the CFA.

It’s Easter so it’s time for clean air, mountains and big open skies, so break out the RM Williams, it’s time to get your Polo on! All things family, fun and Easter!

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It’s been a good 3 years now since my sponsorship of my darling Lazaro in Tanzania, Africa ended but I still think of him so regularly. He changed my life, and I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to have met him.

Going to Tanzania to visit my sponsor child was my primary reason for going to East Africa. Who knew that I would be so mesmerised and completely changed after the visit. Nairobi and Northern Tanzania, Arusha, were like no-where I had ever been before. There is so much room for growth and development- but the people also seem happy and thankful for what they have.

I’ve since been back to Africa and fulfilled my second dream of climbing Mt Kilimanjaro for Alzheimer’s Australia NSW to honour my grandpa. I first saw the incredible mountain on this trip.

To have a mother look you in the eyes and, without words, say thank you, is something I truly can never forget.

My father went on to sponsor his little brother, pictured here, after being so moved by my visit to their village.

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When looking for Melbourne Accommodation for my family and friends to stay in, I look to the Adina Apartment Hotels. After staying last year in the South Yarra Medina as part of this group of hotels, I am hooked and happily recommend them to family.

The Adina Apartment Hotels have recently re-vamped their location in St Kilda on trendy Fitzroy Street. This is a hot spot for travellers and tourists and is situated right near the beautiful Albert Park, the funky Fitzroy Street and only 15 minutes from the city. With the Melbourne Gran prix coming to Melbourne in a few weeks and this hotel being situated across the road from the famous event, this will be hot property.

I know that for myself and for my guests and visitors, we want some where stylish, comfortable and affordable. The Adina perfectly caters to the business traveller as well as the family or couple who are visiting this beautiful city. Modern appliances, comfortable beds, cosmopolitan furnishings – It’s a great place to call home during your stay.

When visiting Melbourne, you have to be somewhere central and accessible to all that this city offers. Away from the bustle of the city but only 15 minutes by tram to where all the action is, St Kilda is perfect. The beach is just 5 minutes down the road with the great shopping and eateries of Acland Street and the gorgeous sunsets over the esplanade. You are also within walking distance or a short tram of Chapel Street. This is the World famous shopping street where you can start with op shops and antiques and finish in South Yarra with designer boutiques.

Not only is the Adina offering great accommodation in Melbourne, they are now showcasing their brilliant hotels in Germany. You can win a wonderful trip for 2 to Germany with Adina Apartments Hotels European Giveaway. I loved Germany and have visited 5 times! I would love to finally get to Frankfurt and again visit Berlin where the Adina is now located. Grab a pretzel, a stein of beer and get excited for this competition.

Adina Apartment Hotels are celebrating their recent evolution by giving away a trip for 2 to Germany. The prize includes return economy flights and 7 nights accommodation in Berlin and Frankfurt. To enter visit the Adina Apartment Hotels competition page

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I’m thrilled to be going to Adelaide next week to attend the Adelaide Fringe Festival and to be attending this show, Darkness and Light.

Depression and anxiety are often taboo subjects in our society but this Comedy Show is bringing light to the topic through a range of hilarious and talented comedians sharing their stories.

If in Adelaide over the next week, this is a must see!

Darkness and Light at the Adelaide Fringe

Adelaide, South Australia: Making its debut at the Adelaide Fringe Festival this year, Darkness and Light is a show for those who like their comedy a little on the real side.

Darkness and Light will run at The Tuxedo Cat from March 10 To March 17th (excluding Wednesday 13th ) at 11pm each night.

Darkness and Light brings together a fusion of funny people using a combination of stand-up, and stunning storytelling, to uncover the comedy gold that lurks beneath some of their darkest days. This is not about making light of a serious issue, it’s to demonstrate how darkness and light can co-exist in our lives and we can persevere.

Anyone who’s ever experienced bullying, mental illness, racism, coming out, grief, chronic illness, substance misuse, a broken heart, or just a really bad day will find they’re not the only ones, as some of the Fringe Festival’s top comics (and some very special international guests) share their very personal postcards from the edge.

Often confronting, but always funny, the Darkness and Light line-up changes every night, and features a stellar selection of comics at the top of their game, including:

“Darkness and Light was an important and deeply satisfying evening. I came away feeling uplifted. I strongly suggest people go and support this show. It needs to be performed again and again: opening people’s minds, opening people’s hearts.” Glass Wings